Friday, 23^rd June, 2017

 

The House met at 0900 hours

 

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

 

NATIONAL ANTHEM

 

PRAYER

 

____­­__

 

BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE

 

The Chief Whip and Acting Leader of Government Business (Mr Musukwa): Mr Speaker, I rise to give the House some idea of the Business it will consider next week.

 

Sir, on Tuesday, 27^th June, 2017, the Business of the House will begin with Questions for Oral Answer, if there will be any. This will be followed by presentation of Government Bills, if there will be any. The House will then debate the Motion to adopt the Reports of the following Committees:

 

1. Parliamentary Reforms and Modernisation; and

 

1. Delegated Legislation.

 

Mr Speaker, on Wednesday, 28^th June, 2017, the Business of the House will start with Questions for Oral Answer, if there will be any. This will be followed by presentation of Government Bills, if there will be any. Thereafter, the House will debate a Private Members’ Motion entitled “Contribute Money to the United Nations.” After that, the House will debate the Motion to adopt the Report of the Committee on Agriculture.

Sir, on Thursday, 29^th June, 2017, the Business of the House will begin with Questions for Oral Answer, if there will any. This will be followed by presentation of Government Bills, if there will be any. Thereafter, the House will debate the Motion to adopt the Reports of the following Committees:

 

1. Communication, Transport, Works and Supply; and

 

1. Information and Broadcasting Services.

 

Mr Speaker, on Friday, 30^th June, 2017, the Business of the House will commence with the Vice-President’s Question Time. After that, the House will consider Questions for Oral Answer, if there will be any. This will be followed by presentation of Government Bills, if there will be any. The House will then debate the Motion to adopt the Report of the Committee on Education, Science and Technology.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

_____

 

QUESTION FOR ORAL ANSWER

 

CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS IN SIOMA

 

274. Ms Subulwa (Sioma) asked the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Development:

 

1. when construction of the following roads in Sioma Parliamentary Constituency would commence:

 

1. Sioma/Matebele;

 

1. Nangweshi/Mutomena/Sinjembela/Imusho Border;

 

1. Matebele/Shangombo; and

 

1. Senanga/Sioma/Nalolo/Kalabo; and

 

1. when construction of Matebele Bridge would commence.

 

The Chief Whip and Acting Leader of Government Business (Mr Musukwa) (on behalf of the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Development (Mr Chitotela): Mr Speaker, the contract for the upgrade of the Sioma/Matebele Road to bituminous standard was awarded to China-Geo Co-operation in 2014. The contractor has so far completed 8 kilometres out of the 38 kilometres. Because of the constrained 2017 Budget, the project could not be accommodated in the 2017 Road Sector Annual Work Plan. However, various financing options, including the contractor-facilitated initiative (CFI) model of project financing, are currently being considered to ensure that the works are completed.

 

Sir, the construction of the Nangweshi/Mutomena/Sinjembela/Imusho Border Road was not included in the 2017 Road Sector Annual Work Plan because of budgetary limitation. The project will be considered in the 2018 or subsequent years, funds permitting. The construction of the Sioma/Ng’ombe/Lyambangu/Mutomena Road was also not included in the 2017 Road Sector Annual Work Plan because of the same reason. The project will, however, be considered in 2018 or subsequent years, when the budget permits.

 

Mr Speaker, the preparation of detailed designs for the upgrade of the Matebele/Shangombo Road was completed in 2015. However, due to budgetary challenges, the construction of the Matebele/Shangombo Road was not included in the 2017 Road Sector Annual Work Plan. The project will be considered in 2018 or subsequent years, when budgetary conditions permit.

 

Sir, the upgrading to bituminous standard of the section between Senanga to Sioma was completed in 2013 by China new Era and China Geo Co-operation. The Matebele-Nalolo-Kalabo section, which is approximately 190 km long, was awarded to China State Engineering Corporation at a contract sum of K1.69 billion, and commencement of works awaits the finalisation of the financing agreement.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Ms Subulwa: Mr Speaker, I would like to praise the Government for Senanga/Sioma road. I must say that was a commendable job, but I meant to debate the works along Senanga through Kalongola Road.

 

 I thank you, Sir.

 

Mr Speaker: Order!

 

So, there was no supplementary question.

 

_____

 

MOTIONS

 

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL SECURITY AND FOREIGN AFFAIRS

 

Dr Malama (Kanchibiya): Mr Speaker, I beg to move that this House adopt the Report of the Committee of on National Security and Foreign Affairs for the First Session of the Twelfth National Assembly, laid on the Table of the House on 21^st June, 2017.

 

 Mr Speaker: Is the Motion seconded?

 

Mr Nyirenda (Lundazi Central): I beg to second the Motion, Mr Speaker.

 

Dr Malama: Sir, in accordance with Standing Orders Number 157(2), your Committee considered the topical issue: the management and operations of law endorsements agencies in Zambia. Your Committee also considered outstanding issues from the Action-taken Report on your previous Committee’s reports.

 

Sir, since hon. Members have read your Committee’s report, I will just comment on a few issues contained therein.

 

Mr Speaker, the background is that the law enforcement agencies, whose management and operations your Committee inquired into, are under the purview of the Ministry of Home Affairs, which is charged with the responsibility of maintaining the internal security of the nation. It does this through the following departments; the Zambia Police Service, the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC); the Citizenship Board of Zambia, the Department of Immigration; and the Zambia Correctional Services.

 

Sir, in order to maintain internal security, the ministry developed a strategic plan for 2013 to 2016 in which it espoused its value statement as providing and promoting internal security through professionalism, integrity accountability, patriotism, transparency, confidentiality, excellence and team work. In the review of its performance for the period 2003 to 2012, the Ministry of Home Affairs cited the following as some of the challenges faced:

 

1. inadequate staffing level ATTRIBUTED to delayed issuance of Treasury authority to employ new staff;

 

1. inadequate infrastructure and operational requisites, resulting in poor service delivery, and failure to meet set objectives; and

 

1. inadequate funding to effect the decentralisation of service delivery.

 

Mr Speaker, against the backdrop of the ambitious 2013-2016 Strategic Plan and the challenges cited in the implementation of previous strategic plans, is the level of corruption, which, according to the 2014 Governance Survey, is very high among law enforcement agencies. Your Committee, therefore, undertook this inquiry with a view to acquainting itself with the operational challenges the institutions may be facing in their service delivery, and the opportunities available for improvement.

 

Mr Speaker, your Committee’s inquiry was broken down into specific objectives to:

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Speaker: Order!

 

The consultations on the right are rather loud, making it very difficult for the hon. Member who is on the Floor to communicate effectively as he competes with you.

 

You may continue, hon. Member.

 

Dr Malama: Mr Speaker, your Committee’s inquiry was broken down into specific objectives namely:

 

1. appreciating the mandate and functions of the law enforcement agencies;

 

1. appreciating the relations and collaboration among the law enforcement agencies;

 

1. ascertaining the operational challenges faced by the law enforcement agencies;

 

1. assessing the levels of public confidence enjoyed by the law enforcement agencies; and

 

1. finding ways of enhancing services delivery.

 

Sir, considering that the functions and mandate of the law enforcement agencies are provided for under specific pieces of legislation, I will confine myself to four of the five objectives, namely collaboration among law enforcement agencies; operational challenges faced; levels of public confidence and enhancement of service delivery.

 

Mr Speaker, concerning the relations and collaboration among the law enforcement agencies, your Committee learnt that the law enforcement agencies collaborate in various ways depending on their mandates and daily operational requirements. Generally, however, they collaborate through provincial and district joint operations Committees. There are, however, some impediments to effective collaboration among the law enforcements agencies, one of which, is the absence of a central security data-base, where all he agencies should deposit and access information for their individual and joint operations.

 

Your Committee, therefore, recommends that the Government should expedite the establishment of a central electronic data-base for law enforcement agencies in order to improve their collaboration and service delivery.

 

Mr Speaker, concerning the operational challenges faced by the law enforcement agencies, your Committee discovered that one of the biggest challenges is shortage of human resource. The Department of Immigration, for instance, whose strength stands at 697 uniformed and 120 non-uniformed staff have not had their establishment revised since inception in 1965. The Police Service, which should have projected staff strength of 27,000, only has 17,466 currently. The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) has 533 against the 1,821 staff establishment of 2013. The change of focus in the Zambia Correctional Service from punitive to correctional also demands that review of the establishment to include positions with special skills and attributes needed to implement the paradigm shift.

 

Sir, your Committee, therefore, recommends that the Government should revise the establishments of the various law enforcement agencies, and recruit officers to make the staff strength commensurate with population growth and operational demands.

 

Mr Speaker, the other challenge faced by law enforcement agencies is inadequate funding. This is a major challenge, resulting in poor infrastructure, lean human resource and inadequate logistics. Your Committee also learnt of the erratic release of funding, particularly, where it had to pass through the regional office for re-disbursement to the organs at district level, which are the spending agencies.

 

Your Committee, therefore, recommends that the Government should increase the budgetary allocation to the law enforcement agencies, and release the funds in good time. Your Committee further recommends that instead of funding going through the provincial headquarters, where it is subjected to competition with other administrative and operational needs, it should go straight to the spending agencies.

 

Mr Speaker, the other challenge, which is a direct consequence of inadequate funding, as alluded to earlier, is poor infrastructure. Your Committee discovered that most of the infrastructure in law enforcement agencies was constructed before or soon after independence, which makes them old, unsightly and inadequate. The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC), for instance, has no buildings of its own, and uses dilapidated and abandoned Ministry of Works and Supply buildings in the provinces. Since these buildings were not tailor-made for the institution, they have no strong rooms in which to store confiscated items, including illicit drugs, for instance, cannabis. As a result, the offices also serve as storerooms.

 

Sir, this is not only a security risk, but also a health one, as officers are constantly exposed to these narcotic substances. Further, the lack of infrastructure such as conference facilities at the DEC offices has resulted in staff holding their meetings in a car park. Your Committee, therefore, recommends that new infrastructure be developed with appropriate storage rooms tailored to institutional needs.

 

Mr Speaker, most of the correctional centres in Zambia were constructed for a very small inmate population. However, they have been outgrown by the population and crime rate, resulting in heavy congestion in the correctional facilities. In some correctional centres, it is not just congestion in cells, but a lack of holding cells for females and juveniles. This has resulted in using makeshift cells, which in many cases, do not have adequate toilet facilities. Your Committee, therefore, in commending the Government for building new correctional facilities, implores that in places where old and rundown structures still exist, new and modern ones should be built.

 

Mr Speaker, your Committee learnt that there are only two reformatory schools in the entire republic, one for boys and the other, for girls. Your Committee, therefore, recommends that the Government should construct more juvenile reformatory schools for both boys and girls to avoid congestion, and/ or putting them in adult facilities.

 

Mr Speaker, concerning the levels of confidence by the public in the law enforcement agencies, your Committee learnt that among the four law enforcement agencies, DEC ranked first in the confidence index. This is according to the 2009, 2012 and 2014 Zambia Bribe Payers Index conducted by the Transparency International Zambia (TIZ). Further, DEC had not been cited in the Auditor-General’s report since 2011.

 

Mr Speaker, in the case of the enhancement of service delivery, your Committee’s report has provided recommendations specifically meant for each institution. I will, however, mention a few recommendations applicable across the law enforcement agencies. These are:

 

1. the Government should improve on the budgetary allocation to the Ministry of Home Affairs and the law enforcement agencies, and ensure that the funds so allocated are released in good time, and used in the operational areas at the district level;

 

1. the Government should build adequate and modern infrastructure for law enforcement agencies;

 

1. the Government should review the staff establishment for all law enforcement agencies, and fill all positions to match the population growth and crime rate, and improve the ratio between law enforcement officers and the population;

 

1. in order to bring law enforcement agencies up to date with modern tenets of law enforcement and democracy, as espoused in the Constitution of Zambia Act No. 1 of 2016, the Government should revise legal instruments such as the Penal Code, Criminal Procedure Code, Public Order Act and Road Traffic Act;

 

1. there should be continuous professional development for all staff engaged in investigations, prosecutions and adjudication in order to bring them into conformity with current trends in law enforcement;

 

1. law enforcement agencies should be provided with requisite modern paraphernalia, including vehicles, and sufficient funding for servicing the equipment;

 

1. there must be a legal framework to guide collaboration in a day to day operations, in order not to leave loopholes in internal security among law enforcement agencies; and

                                                                                                  

1. in order to reduce or halt corruption, which according to the 2014 Governance Survey, is common in the law enforcement agencies, the Government should reduce contact between the offenders and law enforcement agencies that collect fees and fines by making the payments at the banks and/or electronically.

 

In conclusion, Mr Speaker, I would like to thank you for the guidance and support rendered to your Committee during the execution of its programme of work. I also wish to thank the respective commands of the institutions that were visited during the local tours and those that made submissions before your Committee. May I, further, thank hon. Members of your Committee for their cooperation and dedication to duty, without which the work of your Committee would not have been fruitful. Last, but not the least, I would like to extend my thanks to the Clerk of the National Assembly and her staff for the services rendered to your Committee during its business in this Session.

 

Mr Speaker, I beg to move.

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Speaker: Does the seconder wish to speak now or later?

 

Mr Nyirenda: Now, Mr Speaker.

 

Mr Speaker, I wish to thank you and the Committee for giving me the opportunity to second the Motion on the Floor of the House, which is to adopt the report of the Committee on National Security and Foreign Affairs for the First Session of the Twelfth National Assembly.

 

Mr Speaker, as I second the Motion, which the Chairperson of your Committee has ably moved, allow me to highlight a few more issues contained in your Committee’s report.

 

Sir, in addition to interacting with stakeholders who appeared before your Committee to make oral and written submissions, your Committee undertook a local tour during which it discovered many issues. Let me point out from the outset that your Committee was very disappointed with the conduct displayed, and reception given to the committee by the police, right from its highest command.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Nyirenda: This was a confirmation of the public’s view that the police were the most inept law enforcement agency. However, let me place on record, your Committee’s gratitude to the district police commands in Sesheke and Kaoma. These treated your Committee with exceptional respect and courtesy, including providing escort throughout its stay in their districts.

 

Mr Speaker, allow me now to turn to some issues contained in your Committee’s report that the Chairperson may not have covered. One of the most serious impediments to effective delivery in law enforcement agencies is inadequate transport and fuel. Many police stations, for instance, do not have vehicles and fuel, and are always asking citizens seeking the help of the police, to provide transport. The Zambia Correctional Service also does not have its own transport to get remanded people to appear before the courts of law, and has had to rely either on police or the Ministry of Home Affairs, who sometimes have their own programmes, and have not been able to assist. This has resulted in delayed justice for inmates. Your Committee, therefore, recommends that Government procures vehicles for the law enforcement agencies, and provides funding for servicing and fuel.

 

Sir, the other challenge your Committee discovered is inadequate infrastructure. For the Zambia Correctional Service, this resulted in failure to separate convicted inmates from unconvicted inmates. Further, young offenders were not separated from adults. This is contrary to Section 60 of the Prisons Act Chapter 97 of the Laws of Zambia. Your Committee, therefore, recommends that Government urgently improves infrastructure for the law enforcement agencies.

 

Mr Speaker, with regard to the levels of public confidence in the law enforcement agencies, your Committee was informed that although the level of public confidence in law enforcement agencies was generally low, the police service ranked first in the corruption index. Your Committee was informed that the Zambia Police Service was viewed as the most unhelpful national security institution even though it is one of the most important public institutions. Stakeholders complained that there were cases where criminal,s who were sometimes apprehended by the public, had been released from police custody without any justifiable explanation.

 

Sir, concerning collaboration among law enforcement agencies, your Committee learned that whereas these institutions worked together through the joint operation committees at provincial and district levels, effective collaboration on daily operations was quite difficult to achieve in some instances. Your Committee was informed that one classic example of this was the failure by the police and the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) to conduct a joint raid of two compounds in Livingstone, namely Malota and Zambezi Sawmills, which are renowned for drug trafficking and consumption. This exercise failed because a police officer leaked the information to the culprits.

 

Mr Speaker, your Committee was informed further, that the other area where corruption was very obvious and rampant in the police service was the Traffic Section, which was renowned for mounting unnecessary roadblocks at which money charged for very negligible offences was not even documented through receipts. Your Committee, therefore, recommends that police officers in departments be rotated on daily or weekly basis since every officer is expected to know traffic laws. Your Committee, therefore, recommends that in order to reduce corruption, improve discipline and regain public confidence, the disciplinary procedure for the law enforcement agencies should be revised to empower the command to discharge erring officers up to a certain rank as is the trend in other security wings. Further, if the officer concerned is not discharged, they should not be transferred to other sections, but must be demoted, and left to work in the same station, under the officers they once supervised.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Nyirenda: Mr Speaker, your Committee is of the view that the creation of two deputies in the Zambia Police Service and the Zambia Correctional Service has introduced divided loyalty and infighting. Instead of helping their principals, the deputies are busy trying to win the support of their subordinates, thereby undermining the principal officer. Your Committee, therefore, recommends that in order to enhance loyalty and good governance, the Government should revert to having one deputy, like in the defence force. 

 

Mr Speaker, in order to improve the efficiency of the law enforcement agencies generally, your Committee recommends that:

 

1. law enforcement agencies should strengthen their public relations departments where broadcast programmes such as “ Police and You” can be used to sensitise the public on the operations of the police, and the part the community should play;

 

1. the Government should endeavour to allow law enforcement agencies to operate professionally to remove the perception of political interference. In the same vein, the prosecution of politicians believed to be in conflict with law should be instituted while they are in office in order to demonstrate that the law enforcement agencies are not used to persecute those who fall out of favour with the party in power;

 

1. the Government should explore ways of involving collaboration with the private sector in service delivery through Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) particularly in the construction of new, modern correctional centres;

 

1. in order to help the Immigration Department do its job effectively, the Government should fence the Zambian section of the border between Namibia and Zambia at Katima Mulilo border post as per the Swakopmund Permanent Commission Agreement.

 

Mr Speaker, in conclusion, I would like to thank the Chairperson of the Committee and all the hon. Members for the manner in which they executed the business of your Committee.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, Hear!

 

Mr Mung’andu (Chama South): Thank you, Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the Committee Members for the well presented and objective report regarding the status of our security wings in the country.

 

Sir, in my debate, I will try to focus on two issues. Firstly, we cannot talk of security if we have not critically looked at the intelligence departments of these security wings. I am sure, we are all aware that our security wings have these intelligence departments, be it the polic, Zambia National Service (ZNS), Zambia Army and Zambia State Intelligence Services.

 

In the report, it has been highlighted that there are so many challenges that these security wings are facing, particularly, the correctional services which has a shortage of transport in some instances. We are aware, Sir, that for this country to be well protected we need to provide necessary tools to these security wings.

 

I will give an example of a medical situation and doctors will agree with me that the best way of treating a patient …

 

Microphone went off.

 

Mr Kafwaya: How come you have been disconnected?

 

Mr Mung’andu: Ema Technology aya!

 

Hon. Members: Use the other microphone!

 

Mr Mung’andu: Thank you, Mr Speaker, I was saying that doctors will agree with me that the best way to treat a patient is first to have a correct diagnosis. They need to find the root cause of the problem. Otherwise, they will end up giving patients pain killers when he or she needs antibiotics. The same applies to our security systems.

 

Not too long ago, here, in Lusaka, we had a serious situation where ritual killers were taking the lives of innocent Zambians. I am sure this trend has continued, though at a reduced rate. Who are the best people, for example, to feed the police or other law enforcement agencies with information? It is the secret service because these are people that we live with.

 

However, if we go in some of these districts such as Ndola, you find that they have no transport. How will they gather information? Not only do they not have transport, but the seconder also mentioned that one of the challenges they faced in Livingstone was that the law enforcement officer informed the culprits. He leaked the strategic action plan that the security joint team were trying to carry out. What causes such behaviour among our law enforcement officers?

 

Mr Speaker, it is the lack of motivation. If we looked after these officers properly, they would not worry about how their children are going to school or not having enough food at home. They would not engage in these illicit activities at the scale they are doing so.

 

The same applies for the observation on the traffic officers, let us be very objective. What makes these traffic officers to be on the loot? What they do is a crime, and this is why they do not get the bribes openly; they hide. Furthermore,they know very well that their objective is to prevent crime. What motivates them to wait for the crime to be committed so that they charge offenders or take a bribe? To some extent, if we were to research, it will go back to motivational issues.

 

Mr Speaker, it is against this background that we should seriously consider motivating our security wings personnel as a country. Not only that, we need also to uphold the same values and ethics that His Excellency the President mentioned on the Floor of this House. We cannot talk of values and ethics when people are going hungry.

 

When people steal food and are caught they will say that they are hungry. This is the reason why we need to look at the hierarchy of human needs. I personally support Maslow who identified physiological needs to be the first ones to be attended to before one deals with other types of needs.

 

Hon. Member: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mung’andu: We need to eat first as human beings. After eating that is when we, for example, remember that we need to dress up properly. It is after that that we go into self-actualisation that, for example, the hon. Member of Parliament for Pambashe (Mr Chitotela) would want to drive a Mercedes Benz instead of a Corolla. It is after he meets these needs.

 

Similarly, we need to look …

 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Member, are you suggesting that the hon. Minister and Member of Parliament for Pambashe drives a Corolla?

 

Laughter

 

Mr Speaker: You may continue.

 

Mr Mung’andu: Thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

It is against this background that the empowerment of our defence forces and security wings should not only be supported in finances but also in human development. Look at countries, the world over, that have developed. Critical institutions are not manned by us politicians and our relatives. Instead, critical institutions, if continuity is to be inherited by generations, are supposed to be manned by our men and women in uniforms.

 

Mr Speaker, I will give an example of the energy and economic sectors. It is not an ordinary man who will be able to analyse and understand the financial crime syndicates because some of these are international in nature. It will take a well trained and skilled man or woman in uniform, particularly in the department of intelligence, to understand the nature of international crime.

 

Secondly, because of the skill and loyalty that they bring to the nation, it is easy to discipline them because they will not only report to me as a politician, but they will also report to their system which is well defined.

 

Mr Speaker, it is against this background that people of Chama South will be looking forward to seeing our working Government allocating more resources, not only for operations, but also for staff development in these security wings.

 

 

Mr Speaker, it is not enough just to urge the Executive to allocate more resources to our security wings without urging our security wings, or those charged with the responsibility to head them, to be ethical and professional in their conduct. The Executive can misappropriate the much needed resources meant for these security wings. This is possible if those charged with the responsibility of heading these security wings do not apply those resources prudently and efficiently. In this context, problems such as the lack of transport in stations, particularly in the intelligence department, will persist. 

 

Sir, the decisions that the Executive makes depend largely on the credibility of the information these security wings are giving them. The intelligence wings do not tell us what to do, they just present us the facts. If we ignore those facts then it is us, the politicians, who will pay the price.

 

Mr Speaker, there are no police officers in Chama South, and Chama District has  no police houses. The police in the district are housed in a small structure. Further, Chama District has no correctional facility. When people commit an offence, they are taken to Lundazi, Mpika, Chinsali, and, in some instances, Kasama. This makes it very difficult for relatives to visit them, considering their economic situation. It is, therefore, important that the hon. Minister of Home Affairs ensures that all districts have correctional facilities.

 

Sir, the empowerment of the correctional service should not be limited to the issues of transport. We should look at the correctional service as a means to enhance food security. The hon. Minister of Agriculture told this House that the country needs about 500,000 metric tonnes of maize, and the Food Reserve Agency would buy 500,000 metric tonnes of maize as strategic reserves. It is the opinion of the people of Chama South that such quantities can only be produced by the Zambia National Service (ZNS) in collaboration with our correctional services. 70 per cent of the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) subsidy should go to such institutions, 30 per cent should go to the most vulnerable while commercial farmers should produce at their own cost. However, it must be noted that the state of our correctional service farms leaves much to be desired.

 

Mr Speaker, Sir, it was not my intention to finish my twenty minutes. With these few remarks, I support the Motion.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear! 

 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Members, let me point out that we have a serious challenge of time this morning because we are concluding our debate on the Presidential Motion, and I have seven hon. Ministers who would like to debate.

 

I have also noted that we tend to be digressing from the reports and its content. The whole essence of having these reports debated and adopted is the engagement. I suspect that many of us may not even be reading these reports. We have our own ideas of things we want to debate, and as a result, we go long winding, sometimes even getting into irrelevant issues. We need to be more focused. Read the reports and engage the Committee. This is an opportunity to engage the Committee on the Floor. Let us read these reports and their recommendations. After all, at the end of the day, you want to urge your colleagues in the Executive to take specific actions. However, we seem to want to use it as an opportunity to air grievances, shortcomings, needs in the constituencies and so forth and we deviate from the report and, by implication, Business of the House.

 

In view of the very serious time limit, I will only allow two hon. Members to debate before we conclude this Motion. As far as possible, those two, please ...

 

Mr Sichone: Five minutes!

 

Mr Speaker: ... try to be brief and focused. You do not have to exhaust your time. It is not a requirement that you exhaust your time, although I know its nice to be on the Floor. The two Members will be the hon. Members for Lunte and Mafinga, in that order, and then we will close the debate.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear! 

 

Mr Kafwaya (Lunte): Mr Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity to support the Motion on the Floor.

 

Mr Mumba: On a point of order, Sir.

 

Mr Speaker: A point of order is raised.

 

Mr Mumba: Mr Speaker, I apologise to the hon. Member of Parliament for Lunte.

 

Sir, during the week, we received a report from the hon. Minister of Finance on the outlook of our economy. There have since been various debates on how much debt the country actually has. The hon. Minister of Finance said the country has debts amounting to US$17.2 billion while others are reporting US$7.2 billion. Further, the hon. Minister of Finance mentioned that the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) failed to meet its target, but today the ZRA is saying they have exceeded their 2017 target.

 

Mr Speaker, is the hon. Minister of Finance in order to remain quiet when these reports have a direct bearing on the efforts that he has already made and, most importantly, at a time when there is much of debate on the resilience of our economy?

 

Mr Speaker: My ruling is very brief. I will give the liberty to the hon. Minister of finance to respond to those issues.

Mr Kafwaya: Mr Speaker, I thank you for giving me this opportunity once again. I just want to say that it is a bit daunting to speak after such a comprehensive counsel, and because of this, I will try to remain brief.

 

Mr Speaker, your Committee’s report is an important one. In fact, it has come at the right time when leaders are …

 

Mr Mumba stood up.

 

Mr Speaker: Order! Hon. Member for Kantanshi, you may lay the paper on the Table of the House before you leave.

 

Mr Mumba laid the paper on the Table.

 

Mr Speaker: Proceed!

 

Mr Kafwaya: Sir, this report has raised salient issues which in my view, should be thoroughly considered. Your Committee has talked about issues that we must deal with in order to fix our economy. We understand that in order to grow the economy, we require investment. Investment is normally appraised by investors. Investors take into account information, and security information is not the least of the pieces of information that investors do take into account. I would have loved this report to link these findings to investment. As I said earlier, when investors want to inject finances into an economy, they look at the security of that country. They look at the level of corruption prevalence in that country. As we know, corruption increases the cost of doing business thereby, making our products and services less competitive. It is, therefore, important that we focus on these issues seriously, and be able to follow these recommendations so that we reduce the security and corruption risks. This way, we will be able to make our country an attractive destination for investment.

 

Mr Speaker, your Committee has highlighted a few issues which require to be attended to. The report states that we need to improve the financial allocation to the security services systems. It is not just the finances which require to be improved. We need to monitor the application of these resources. Resources can be given but the Auditor-General will still say that there are systems which are abusing the same resources. If we are urging the Government to supplement the level of resources which are being allocated to these institutions, then we must also urge the institutions to make sure that they apply these resources prudently. This way, these resources can be impactful. I think this is what we are looking forward to, in this country.

 

Sir, I grew up in a police camp, and for ten years, I used to see brand new police vehicles brought to the station. I noticed that after two years, those vehicles could not move because of a lack of maintenance, and carelessness in the application of resources by the police. Clearly, as we lobby for these resources to be improved, we also need to urge our colleagues in the services to ensure that they apply the resources prudently.

 

Mr Speaker, I also note that there are issues of establishment in the report. Yes, I think all structures need to be restructured in order for them to be responsive to issues in this country. The police and prison services are not exempted. We need to make sure that we re-establish these structures in order for them to be flexible and respond to their challenges more effectively. If we do not equip these structures with modernisation, that may be a waste. Even if we increase the number without skills, we will come back to the same thing. So my view is that while we lobby for the numbers to increase, we must also lobby for skills to be improved so that our services can actually respond to a number of issues that we are dealing with.

 

Mr Speaker, in view of your counsel, I would like to conclude by supporting the Motion on the Floor.

 

I thank you, Sir.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Siwale (Mafinga): Mr Speaker, I am so grateful for according me this opportunity to also debate on the Committee’s report which is before this House.

 

Mr Speaker, we have security wings in this country. All Zambians are looking up to the security wings for protection. Now, if the people who are supposed to protect us engage themselves in corrupt activities, then the nation will not progress.

 

Mr Speaker, in the report, we talked about the police, especially, the traffic section. It is saddening to note that owning a vehicle is a crime in this country. For a truck to pass a checkpoint, the driver needs to prepare money to pay the police, and this money does not even go to the Government. I therefore, suggest that the police traffic section should be disbanded.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Siwale: Mr Speaker, the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) should take charge of road blocks and checkpoints in this country.  We have tried to put measures in place to stop the police from getting involved in corrupt activities but nothing has changed. At least, we all know that RTSA has the integrity. I therefore, want to strongly state before this House that the police traffic section should be disbanded, and RTSA should take over all the traffic operations.

 

Mr Speaker, in Mafinga Constitution, the police have a permanent checkpoint at Luangwa Bridge, where they solicit for money from motorists. They have even given themselves daily cashing targets.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Siwale: Sir, this is where each motorist has to stop at a checkpoint, and pay about K140 for a to and from trip, the money which is not even recorded in receipts. I know that this is happening countrywide. Therefore, as a Parliamentarian, I would not love to see our people suffer because of the police.

 

Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister of Lands and Natural Resources gave a ministerial statement on Mukula Tree before this House. In her statement, she mentioned the measures that the Government is taking to stop the illegal trade of Mukula Tree. This brings me back to the issue of the police operations in this country. It took the hon. Minister and this working Government to send the Zambia Army to go, and deal with the corrupt practices on Mukula Tree in Muchinga Province. At least now, there is sanity.  This means that the police …

Ms Kapata: Mr Speaker, is the hon. Member on the Floor in order not to inform the nation that the police officers who were involved in the illegal business of the Mukula Tree have been arrested, and are appearing before the courts of law? I need your serious ruling, Sir.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Mwale: Ema points of order aya!

 

Mr Speaker: Well, as the hon. Member continues the debate, he should take note of the update.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Siwale: Mr Speaker, in fact, I want to commend the hon. Minister of Lands and Natural Resources ...

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Siwale: ... for the initiative to send the Zambia Army, hence sanity prevailing in Muchinga Province. This means that the police who are supposed to protect people, and enforce the law failed to carry out what the Government had tasked them to do.

 

Mr Speaker, in this vein, as I conclude, I wish to make an earnest appeal to security wings, especially, the Zambia Police, not to involve themselves in corrupt activities, despite working under difficult conditions, such as meagre salaries, because all Zambians are looking up to them for protection and better service.

 

Mr Speaker, I support this Motion, and thank you.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

The Minister of Agriculture (Ms Siliya) (on behalf of the Minister of Home Affairs (Mr Kampyongo): Mr Speaker, on behalf of the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the Government in general, I would really like to thank your Committee for a very candid report. I would like to assure the Committee that the Government welcomes not just the commendations, but the criticisms and suggestions in the report. The contents are being taken with the seriousness that they deserve.

 

I thank all the hon. Members that contributed to this debate.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Dr Malama: Mr Speaker, I thank Hon. Lawrence Nyirenda for ably seconding this Motion. I also thank the hon. Minister for the response given and, indeed, all those that have debated.

 

Mr Speaker, the people of Zambia desire a professional and law enforcement agency synonymous with democracy and development.

 

Mr Speaker, in conclusion, may I say that when the people of Zambia see uniformed Zambian officer, they desire to see justice, patriotism, fairness, protection and freedom.

 

Mr Speaker, I thank you.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Hon. Member: Ema IG aya!

 

Question put and agreed to.

 

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON LEGAL AFFAIRS, GOVERNANCE, HUMAN RIGHT, GENDER MATTERS AND CHILD AFFAIRS ON THE ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT, MR EDGAR CHAGWA LUNGU, ON THE PROGRESS MADE ON THE APPLICATION OF NATIONAL VALUES AND PRINCIPLES

 

(Debate resumed)

 

The Minister for Muchinga Province (Mr Sichone): Mr Speaker, I thank you, once again, for the opportunity to debate. When the debate was adjourned yesterday, I was about to say that I also support the sentiments that the Committee put across on this particular Motion, especially, that this country’s moral fibre, values and good culture, demands to be improved quite appreciably. We are seeing a Zambia where the young generation is slowly losing direction.

 

Mr Speaker, today, Zambia is not the same country we witnessed years ago. Today, we see that laziness, or rather indolence, among people, has led to severe unproductiveness. Many people want to reap where they did not sow. All of this is culminating into a bad culture, and an eroded moral fibre.

 

Mr Speaker, as a result of the loss of values, we have seen many people we call conmen. The levels of crookedness, and the lack of faithfulness are rising. We have also seen people dashing for miracles and, unscrupulous – and I am sorry to use this word – magicians, covered in sheep skins, masquerading as men of God ...

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Sichone: ... are out there, preaching to people that it is possible to own a car without working hard, but simply bending on your knees and asking God to give you that car. We have seen these unscrupulous people telling people that if they just part away with a thousand as seed, God will give them more money. If they dream of owning a house, they will definitely own one. All this requires a great deal of effort to deal with, not only from the Government, but the general populace.

 

Mr Mwale: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Sichone: A great deal of effort is required to change or transform this bad culture to redeem our values, and have a country that we will be proud of.

 

Mr Speaker, for once, Zambia has a leader, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, who believes in God first. He has told us that he is in charge, and God is in control. If we had leaders before him who emphasised moral rehabilitation the way he does, we would have been talking about a changed country by now.

 

Mr Speaker, let me allude to the work culture in the Civil Service. In Muchinga, we have noted that the work culture, amongst our officials, is something that you cannot describe. People report for work late. We have put in place systems to check what time they log in and out, however, people are manipulating the systems. For example, someone comes for work at 1000 hours, while in the log in book, they indicate that they arrived at 0730 hours. This way of doing things goes back to the erosion in our values. It also goes back to the loss that we are experiencing in terms of moral fibre.

 

Mr Speaker, as though that is not enough, people in offices who have cell phones, would rather be twitting or browsing on facebook and chatting on whatsapp. In a day, for example, one officer would only attend to his or her work for an hour. People are utilising only one hour to do their work. This is leading to mass unproductiveness, and hence the poverty that we are seeing. Some offices have heaps of files dated as far back as January 2016. You will find long queues of people who want to get services, but nobody is there to help them. However, the President is emphasising that we have to transform the way we do our work. We have to change our attitudes because if we cannot, the erosion of moral fibre we are experiencing now will be far worse than, for example, a situation of a war.

 

Mr Speaker, I would also love to allude to the point where his Excellency the president is talking about a country which is productive and wealthy. You may wish to know that about 49 per cent of the water bodies in Southern Africa are in Zambia. As though that is not enough, almost two thirds of our land mass is very fertile and arable. The terrain and the topography just suits that of an agrarian country. This is a country where food security has not really been attained. It appears food security is unachievable, and we fall back on imports. This goes back to the issue of a bad culture and moral fibre erosion that we are experiencing.

 

Mr Speaker, this country can always produce surplus food. We can be a country that provides its surplus food to the rest of the world, and can be export oriented. All this is something that we are not achieving because of the eroded moral fibre.

 

Mr Speaker, may I also talk about alcohol abuse. His Excellency and your Committee have observed that we need to regulate the production of alcohol. People spend most of their time quaffing as opposed to…

 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Member, the word quaffing is unparliamentary.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Sichone: People spend most of their time drinking alcohol. If you go in the streets, it is not true that this country should be experiencing unemployment; we have many opportunities that are lying idle. Some people are drunk all the time as a result they can only see opportunities through their ‘drunken’ eyes. They cannot see opportunities because they are drunk. So, we have to transform that, and I thank your Committee and his Excellency the President, for having said and directed different ministries to ensure effective management of the production, and sale of alcohol.

 

Mr Speaker, one would ask, why is it that Zambia experiences many road traffic accidents. In this country a person driving a passenger service vehicle, carrying many lives of people is either drunk or smelling beer because he has a hangover or they could have abused some substances. This has been a cause of many accidents on our roads. Not only that, some drivers choose not to follow traffic regulations and rules. Many accidents are attributed to total disregard of the rule of law. There is no day that passes without loss of life in Zambia. This is as a result of not following traffic rules.

 

Mr Speaker, as I conclude, let me allude to the issue of patriotism. Mother Zambia is a lovely country. We must be proud to call ourselves Zambians. We must be proud to even talk about certain achievements that we have made as a country. Colleagues, in other countries they do that. I remember being a classmate to a Tanzania lady who was sitting next to me, somewhere I was studying. I was shocked that every little given time, this lady would say, ah! Tanzania, inchi etu. I kept asking myself what was she saying. Until I asked her what she meant by saying ah! Tanzania, inchi etu. Then she responded that she was just saying, Tanzania, my beautiful country. I brought this out because I would love a situation where we, as a country, or a people of Zambia, remain proud of this country. We must raise the flag very high. This can be achieved through the change take to our children in schools, and elsewhere.

 

Mr Speaker, may I end by saying, those who went to schools at the time when there was corporal punishment, are different from our children who are growing up now...

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Sichone: …in the spirit of human rights.

 

Mr Speaker, having said this, I just implore all of us to be patriotic, and to love our mother Zambia.

 

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

The Minister of Fisheries and Livestock (Mr Katambo): Mr Speaker, I thank you for according me this opportunity to debate, and support the Motion to adopt the Report of The Committee on Legal Affairs, Governance, Human Rights, Gender Matters and Child Affairs on the Address by his Excellency, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, the President of the Republic of Zambia, on the progress made in the application of national values and principles.

 

Mr Speaker, I seek your indulgence to allow me to also combine my contribution to that of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security so that hon. Members consider my contribution relevant to that ministry. Further, I wish to thank hon. Members who have contributed to this Motion, and I acknowledge that I found their contributions to be mature and commendable. Having heard the previous contributions in which most hon. Members have debated adequately, I will avoid repetition, and confine my debate to matters that are raised in the Report, and debate on issues that affect the fisheries and livestock sectors and the Ministry of Labour and Social Security.

 

Mr Speaker, the address that was delivered by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia to our House in pursuant to Articles 8, 9 and 86 of the Republican Constitution touched on the following values and principles:

 

1. morality and ethics;

 

1. patriotism and national unity;

 

1. democracy and constitutionalism;

 

1. good governance and integrity;

 

1. human dignity, equity, social justice and non-discrimination;

 

1. sustainable development;

 

1.  Bill of Rights;

 

1.  co-ordination mechanism; and

 

1.  transformation agenda.

 

I tend to agree with some hon. Members who have debated before me that these values and principles are inter-related, or connected, and cannot be discussed in isolation. In many ways, each of the principles and values has a bearing or implication on the other in fostering national development.

 

Mr Speaker, let me start with the first principle of morality and ethics. National values are important in any nation, and are fundamental in the realisation of patriotism. Today, many of us, in the majority, stand and walk proudly as members of the Patriotic Front (PF), the governing party that is founded on national and human values. However,it is important to note that there is a lack of respect for leadership. This is at its highest point in certain quarters of society, and the Opposition brought to light by the irresponsible application of social media. Some individuals for a example are negatively influenced even by our noble institutions. This is saddening because noble institutions are expected to be neutral. In this case, tradition leaders have taken sides.

 

We, as legislators, are to be leaders expected to arrest moral decay by doing the correct things. We cannot, for example, expect to benefit from leaders that we do not respect. For example, one comes to my office in a quest for developmental alms, yet he or she does not recognise the appointing authority. Respect and common courtesy are very critical in national development. Members of certain sectors in our society and the Opposition need to learn more about the importance of respect. The leaders need to respect one another because they are also respected where they come from by those they represent in their constituencies.

 

Sir, hon. Members have pointed out that the lack of ethics or values has led to moral decay. With regard to fisheries and livestock development, this moral decay has led to the depletion of fish stock in the country. It is, indeed, true that most of our lakes and natural water bodies have been overfished through illegal fishing methods such as the use of mosquito nets. These nets, as already alluded to, by hon. Members who have debated before me, are intended to prevent the spread of malaria. Such is the erosion of good values and ethics of our society, and has led to our country becoming a net importer of fish. This cannot be allowed to continue.

 

Mr Speaker, in order to reverse this trend, let us regain the moral high ground, and entrench ethical standards in the fisheries and livestock sub-sectors. My ministry has embarked on a massive sensitisation campaign against illegal fishing methods, and in particular, the use of mosquito nets. To ensure good governance and sustainable utilisation of these natural resources, my ministry has partnered with traditional leaders, and local communities. We realise that we cannot win this battle, and this is why we are using a multi sectoral approach to overcome this. We have also partnered with the provincial administration, other line ministries, community leaders, the Disaster Management Unit and our co-operating partners to sensitise communities on the ills associated with illegal fishing methods. It is our hope and prayer that this corrective approach will lead to a change in mindset of our fishing communities.

 

Sir, the hon. Members who have debated before me, alluded to the poor morals and ethics among our public service workers. These include reporting late for work, absenteeism, poor work culture and corruption, among others. To address this, my ministry has embarked on sensitising our officers on the 2008 Code of Ethics. Along with this sensitisation, officers sign up to the code of ethics to underline their commitment and strict adherence to the code. The programme started at the ministry headquarters, and will be rolled out to all provincial offices.

 

Mr Speaker, most of the hon. Members who have debated before me, pointed at the need to give power to the people in their constituencies by taking development closer to them. Indeed, this is in line with the provision of the Constitution for decentralisation. My ministry is alive to these provisions, and addressing this by handing over the management of breeding centres to the provincial administration. We believe that the provincial administration is closer to the grassroots, and this is an efficient way of taking development of fisheries and livestock closer to the people. This is in line with the decentralisation policy that His Excellency the President is implementing in his governance. Our co-operating partners have always been supportive of the development agenda of our two sub-sectors in my ministry, and we, indeed, appreciate their valuable contributions.

 

Sir, your Committee’s report on page 15 urges the Government to fund research in sustainable fish farming methods for small scale farmers. I wish to inform this august House that my ministry has conducted research in aquaculture value chain, and one such research is the 2006 study that identified the potential zones for aquaculture development. This led to the development of the National Aquaculture Development Plan 2015-2020 and the National Aquaculture Strategy. The strategy identifies land and water based fish farming methods in Zambia which include ponds, cages and pen fish farming. Some potential areas for aquaculture development, just to mention a few, include Rufunsa, Gwembe, Kasempa, Mungwi, Kariba, Tanganyika Mweru-Luapula and Bangweulu, and other high potential zones, taking into account the empowerment of our women folk and youths. It is the aim of the Government to promote citizen participation in issues that are pertinent to the well-being of women, youths and differently abled persons.

 

Mr Speaker, aquaculture development is one of the many ways my ministry has identified in achieving sustainable development and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) No. 1 and 2.

 

Sir, the Ministry of Labour and Social Security is committed …

 

Mr Speaker: Hon. Minister, are you still responding to the President’s Speech?

 

Mr Katambo: Yes, Mr Speaker. I have now turned to the issues that deal with them.

 

Mr Speaker: Please, those who are coming after the hon. Minister of Fisheries and Livestock should focus on the President’s Speech. I know some of these statements may have been prepared in advance. Continue, hon. Minister.

 

Mr Katambo: Mr Speaker, the Ministry of Labour and Social Security also remains resolute and committed to the creation of a versatile, dynamic and productive labour market that is anchored on the promotion of fundamental principles, rights at work, equity, social justice, equality and non-discrimination. To actualise this commitment, it has been implementing the Zambia Decent Work Country Programme which addresses specific issues in employment and the labour sector, while contributing to the over-arching  goal of a just and equitable society.

 

Sir, to give effect to the provisions relating to the respect of these values and principles, the ministry will continue conducting regular and abrupt labour inspections. The prescription of the minimum wage for different categories of vulnerable workers is another avenue to realize, and further the welfare of the Zambian workers. This measure will deter employers from exploiting workers and paying uneconomic wages by prescribing a minimum wage. The ministry will ensure that all workers enjoy favourable conditions of employment as contained in the employment contracts including hours of work, leave entitlements, freedom of association, rights to privacy, non-discrimination, and unfair wages in compliance with the existing pieces of legislation. Occupational health and safety are another important element in the application of national values and principles. The safety of workers at their respective work places is essential in maintaining high employment morale and productivity levels.

 

Mr Speaker, let me conclude my contribution by stating that my ministry is also fully committed to the transformation agenda and application of national values and principles to foster national development. The ministry’s vision is to see to it that Zambia becomes self-sufficient and a net exporter of fish, livestock and other products within the next few years. It will also have the potential to create employment and contribute to increased incomes for households as well as the overall Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

 

Mr Speaker: Order!

 

Business was suspended from 1040 hours until 1100 hours.

 

[MADAM DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]

 

The Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Development (Mr Chitotela): Madam Speaker, I thank you for giving me an opportunity to contribute to the Motion moved by the hon. Member of Parliament for Lupososhi, on the Report of the Committee on Legal Affairs, Governance, Human Rights, Gender Matters and Child Affairs on the address by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu.

 

Madam, I am grateful to you for the privilege to contribute to the debate on the address of His Excellency, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, President of this sovereign republic, on the progress made in the application of national values and principles.  Allow me also to thank all my colleagues who have debated this Motion.

 

Madam Speaker, our Republican Constitution under Articles 8, 9 and 86 (1) provides for our national values and principles as a people. It further mandates our republican President to update the nation through this august House on the application of these national values and principles. In line with this national duty, His Excellency the President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, provided high level policy guidelines to the nation on the values and principles of morality and ethics; patriotism and national unity; democracy and constitutionalism; human dignity, equity, social justice, equality and non-discrimination; good governance and integrity; and sustainable development.

 

The importance of the decision, through the leadership of the Patriotic Front (PF) Government …

 

Interruptions

 

Madam Deputy Speaker: Order!

 

Hon. Minister, please take a seat. Hon. Members of the Front Bench, your microphones are highly sensitive. I would request that you keep them off except when called upon to speak. Your whispers are being heard on radio.

 

Continue, hon. Minister.

 

Mr Chitotela: Madam Speaker, the importance of the decision by the leadership of the PF Government to integrate national values and principles in the supreme law of our land, cannot be overemphasised.

 

Despite this, allow me to get back to the fundamental nature of this decision in relation to our key existence and aspiration as a nation. The values and principles are at the core of our national unity, solidarity, and progress through their impact on the promotion of equity of all citizens, appreciation and integration of all communities in the affairs of the state, considering democracy, accountability and the rule of law.

 

Madam Speaker, in addition, the national values and principles remind us of our sense of national identity, pride, diversity, freedom, integrity and fairness. It is for this reason that our Republican Constitution defines the values and principles as foundations of the nation and state. As responsible and loyal citizens, we, therefore, need to constantly affirm the national values and principles, as alluded to by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu. This is cardinal because these values and principles establish the framework for the exercise of authority as well as the context within which we need to relate with one another as Zambians, public and private institutions, political parties and communities, in the spirit of nationhood.

 

Madam Speaker, I belong to a practical and pro-poor Government, consequently our thoughts, words and actions are now being dictated by the national values and principles. This way, they will practically motivate us to deliver on what our people currently desire, and to create the future we want for ourselves and future generations, as espoused in our party manifesto.

 

Madam Speaker, as the ministry responsible for housing and infrastructure development in the country, we take national values and principles as well as the address by His Excellency, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, President of the Republic of Zambia, with the utmost seriousness they deserve. To demonstrate this fact, we are already putting in place measures to contribute to the implementation of the national values in line with the President’s guidance.

 

We want to make our ministry to be among the strong champions and implementers of the national values and principles. Specifically, and taking into consideration our mandate, we will continue to implement strategies and interventions to promote morality and ethics, patriotism and national unity, human dignity, equity, social justice, equality and non-discrimination and sustainable development.

 

With regard to morality and ethics, management in the ministry will continue to uphold these values by ensuring that all offices strictly abide by the code of conduct, and that this is mainstreamed into the ministry’s performance appraisal system. This will also be extended to our interactions with consultants, contractors and other service providers from whom we expect the same. We believe this will put us on the firm ground to deliver quality, and smart infrastructure for the benefit of our people. Further, we will actively engage the Anti-corruption Commission (AC) to ensure that an integrity committee is operationalised in the ministry to support these efforts. The management in the ministry will provide the required leadership to ensure prudence, transparency, discipline and accountability.

 

Madam Speaker, there are numerous examples to demonstrate that, and one of them is that a nation that is united and with patriotic citizens can achieve tremendous advancements in all areas of human endeavour. This is because citizens who are patriotic can go to great lengths to defend the interests of their country, and make it a better place than they found it. Unfortunately, we have observed unpatriotic tendencies amongst some of our Zambian contractors.

 

Madam, these unpatriotic tendencies have been manifested through sub-standard construction works, abandonment of construction sites and outright deception. Clearly, things have to change. While the Government is committed to economically empowering local contractors through the construction agreements, it is also the duty of our local contractors to ensure that they begin to uphold public and National interest before self-interest by avoiding bad tendencies I had referred to earlier. This will be our measure of the patriotism to our nation. Otherwise, they stand no chance of being awarded more contracts as long as I remain Minister in charge of Public Infrastructure.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Chitotela: Madam Speaker, our vision to have a Zambia where contractors will be undertaking public works with the same passion, pride and devotion as if they were constructing their personal infrastructure cannot be overemphasised. Indeed, for being Zambians, the infrastructure is theirs, their children and their grand children to come.

 

Madam, as Government, we will do what is required to ensure that we promote patriotism among Zambian contractors through constant engagement and sensitisation directly and through our statutory institutions such as the National Council for Construction (NCC), Road Development Agency(RDA) and other institutions. Our aim is to work together in unity of purpose with patriotic Zambian contractors to drive the transformational agenda in infrastructure development across the breadth of our nation. To demonstrate this and, as His Excellency, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu stated on inclusiveness, my ministry embarked on upgrading of various road infrastructure across the country. Some of them are Dundumwezi/Kalomo Road, Sikongo/Kalabo/Angola Road, Chingola/solwezi Road and Mwinilunga/Ikeleng’i/Jimbe road. 

 

Madam Speaker, the housing and infrastructure sector provides the key to opening doors to human dignity, equity and social justice. For instance, when we construct a new road in a previously un-serviced area, we bring dignity and equity closer to the people. When we upgrade a shanty compound, we bring dignity and equity to the Zambians and when we provide housing for our old and poor country men and women, we give them dignity and social justice to mention, but a few.

 

To this effect, we will endeavour to continue, throughout this year and beyond to provide infrastructure in all corners of our nation. We have just finalised preparing our medium- term plan for the period 2017-2020, which has been motivated by the desire to provide roads, railway, education, health, aviation and housing infrastructure development. It also aims at promoting dignity, equity and social justice for the Zambian people. During these endeavours, significant and decent wage employment will be created to further allow us to make dignity and equity realities in the lives of our people.

 

Madam Speaker, the Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure Development will continue providing avenues for the elimination of barriers to dignity, equity and social justice by providing the platforms for increased economic activity and service delivery in line with the His Excellency, the President’s directive during his address.

 

Madam Speaker, we recognise that in our effort to deliver resilient, inclusive and smart housing and infrastructure products in our country, we need to actively pay attention to the inherent issues that may bring about inequality and discrimination in accessing these products. In order to guarantee equal access and non-discrimination, my ministry is committed to addressing these among others:

 

1. addressing the special needs of women, persons with disabilities and the aged in infrastructure projects; and

 

1. balancing of geographical location of infrastructure provision in the country without recourse to political, social, religious and cultural orientation.

 

Madam Speaker, we have already demonstrated our resolve in promoting equality and non-discrimination through the implementation of infrastructure projects in all the ten provinces of our country. Going forward, we will continue on this premise of equality and non-discrimination delivery of infrastructure for our country. We have resolved to strengthen the policy, legal and institutional frame-work with respect to National values and principles, undertake continuous civic education and public awareness to ensure that values and principles are practised at all levels of our society.

 

Madam Speaker, it is upon undertaking these commitments in a collaborative effort, involving Government, private sector, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and individual citizens that our National values and principles can be the primary source of our country’s social, political, economic and cultural advancement.

 

Madam, as I conclude, let me take this opportunity to state that the obligation is for all of us, citizens. I also know that we have the opportunity, ability and patriotism to make Zambia a proud nation, where people will live in dignity, equality and, of course, unity. The respect and upholding of our National values is not just for His Excellency, the president, hon. Ministers, or the PF Members who are in Government, it is for every citizen.  We need to defend our integrity, and show respect for authority because this is the beacon of our integrity and foundation as a nation.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

The Minister of Tourism and Arts (Mr C. Banda): Madam Speaker, firstly, I wish to thank you most sincerely for giving me this opportunity to debate the report of the Committee on Legal Affairs, Governance, Human Rights, Gender Matters and Child Affairs on the address by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, to Parliament on 17^th March, 2017, on the application of national values and principles during the second meeting of the First Session of the Twelfth National Assembly.

 

Madam Speaker, allow me to commend your Committee for coming up with a very concise and well documented report. The report has touched on very important issues which are very fundamental to the building of a strong Zambia. Key among the subjects highlighted in the report are morality, ethics, patriotism and national unity. The report also looked at the issues of democracy and constitutionalism.

 

Madam Speaker, allow me to quote from an American poet and civil rights activist, Maya Angelou, who once said, “In diversity there is beauty and strength”. Indeed, if we can embrace the beauty and strength of diversity, together we can enhance capabilities of our country Zambia in responding to the needs and aspirations of our people.

 

Madam, the report is very explicit in its recommendations to the Government that by using formal systems, there should be deliberate plans to engage all stakeholders in the various sectors to commit themselves to the transformational agenda in order to develop Zambia.

 

Madam Speaker, allow me to commend with admiration the significant moral and ethical progress in governance which His Excellency the President of Republic of Zambia, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, has so far exhibited through his systematic leadership style. President Lungu addressed this House for the second time this year on 17^th March, 2017, and made reference to, and placed specific emphasis on the important issues of morality, ethics, values and patriotism. He was very philosophical and practical in his address.

 

Madam Speaker, for purposes of clarity, let me begin by commenting on ethics. I look at ethics as the anchor of principles and values. Ethics helps us to maintain our focus in all that we do. This can be at our places of work or worship and associations in societal or family groupings. Ethics can be described from three perspectives or branches, which are:

 

1. Meta-ethics

 

Madam Speaker, this deals with characteristics of abstract terms such as what is good, right, justice and fairness. We all face these situations at one time or another because of the demands that society has put on us. It could be at work places or, indeed, at the societal interactional level;

 

1. Normative Ethics

 

This deals with development of general theories of moral conduct. This branch applies to the majority if not all that are in association with other people at various levels. They regulate how we should relate to each other in order to maintain peace and harmony as well as acceptance of each other; and

 

1. Applied Ethics                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

This is a problem solving branch of moral philosophy, the real link between theory and practice dealing with decision making. This branch of ethics helps us to regulate ourselves when faced with situations which may not have a single solution, but usually solutions chosen are meant to maintain harmony.

 

Madam Speaker, having said what I have outlined, I want to go back to the speech by the President on page 2, where he says:

 

“Our national values and principles are a set of beliefs and guidelines meant to provide us, as a nation, with a foundation upon which our identity and practices are anchored.”

 

Madam Speaker, Zambia is known as a peaceful country in the entire Southern African Region. We are a country whose people have strived to maintain values and principles for close to fifty-three years now. Unfortunately, of late, we have seen some weeds germinating among ourselves. There is suddenly a loss of respect for leadership and a loss of love among our people.

 

Mr Mwale: Mwaona manje.

 

Mr C. Banda: Madam Speaker, at the Ministry of Tourism and Arts, this is worrying us. The problem is that tourism is a business which thrives on, and grows where there is peace, love and respect. If we are going to allow a situation where ethics, principles and morals will be discarded, we should be sure that all the efforts that we are putting in now to grow tourism will not yield the desired results. The outcome will be that there will be failure on the part of the Government to generate the much needed wealth, and to create the jobs that we are fighting to create for our women and youths in the country.

 

Madam Speaker, this is further emphasised by His Excellency the President on page 5 of the his speech where he says:

 

“As a nation, there is sufficient reason for us to uphold good morals and ethics.”

 

Madam Speaker, Zambia is a Christian nation, and a haven of peace. We should not allow anyone to destroy this for personal ego. The President’s Address served as a platform for the nation to reflect on the state of the nation as regards the application of national values and principles. The speech is also a timely warning to those unpatriotic Zambians who are ready to cause us to lose the peace that we have enjoyed all along, just for their selfish motives.

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr C. Banda: Madam Speaker, it may be important to mention here something about constitutionalism. The report by your Committee brought out the issue of constitutionalism as a guide on how we should conduct the governance of this country. Those that believe that they can intentionally reject the will of the people to disregard the legally elected Government and President may find themselves on the wrong side of the law.

 

Madam Speaker, Section 45 of the Penal Code, Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia prohibits such undesired behaviour by citizens, and that such citizens or others may find themselves being charged for serious offences such as treason, and earn twenty years in prison. It is not me saying it, but the law.

 

Mr Mwale: Mwaona manje.

 

Mr C. Banda: Madam Speaker, allow me to end my debate by outlining a few steps that the Ministry of Tourism and Arts has taken towards making progress in the application of national values and principles. Regarding the directive on morality and ethics by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, the Ministry of Tourism and Arts has oriented 150 out of 180 members of staff, based at the headquarters, on the code of ethics, and directed that public officers must individually sign code of ethics booklets as a commitment to adhere to the contents of the code. Furthermore, the ministry is in the process of procuring 150 code of ethics booklets which will be issued to officers.

 

Madam Speaker, in addition, following the transformation of the Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) into the Department of National Parks and Wildlife, the ministry facilitated the induction of human resource management officers under the DNPW in terms and conditions of service, handling disciplinary matters in the civil service and code of ethics for public service so that they in turn orient the other staff in the department in regional offices.

 

Madam Speaker, with regard to the Presidential directive on patriotism and national unity, the Ministry of Tourism and Arts is reaching out to the local communities through various forms of performing arts such as music, drama, poetry, storytelling and popular theatre.

 

Madam Speaker, in line with the Presidential directive on good governance and integrity, the Ministry of Tourism and Arts constituted an integrity committee in 2016. The importance of this committee cannot be overemphasised because it is aimed at ensuring the implementation of integrity development measures. This is to enhance service delivery in our institutions.

 

Madam Speaker, the Ministry of Tourism and Arts conducts a Christian fellowship meeting during lunch hour on Tuesdays and Thursdays. This helps the staff to strengthen their Christian values, which, in turn, helps in the way they relate to one another, and execute their assignments. It is important to realise that these are people from various walks of life who have to harmonise their relationships in order to maximise their potential at the workplace. Spiritual support is, therefore, a very important part of our existence and moral fibre.

 

Madam Speaker, with regard to the implementation of the Decentralisation Policy, devolving ministries and institutions were required to produce the Sector Devolution Action Plans. I am pleased to report that the Ministry of Tourism and Arts developed this plan in 2016. Some of the functions to be devolved will be from tourism, wildlife and arts and culture. To this effect, the ministry has facilitated the transfer of sixty-six field officers qualified and classified as follows: fifty-five district cultural affairs officers; eight community liaison assistants and seven extension officers.

 

Lastly, Madam Speaker, I wish to state that the Ministry of Tourism and Arts is working with other ministries in ensuring that young people are sensitised on the dangers of alcohol abuse .

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

The Minister for Western Province (Mr Mubukwanu): Madam Speaker, thank you very much for this opportunity to render my few remarks on the report of your Committee on Legal Affairs, Governance, Human Rights, Gender Matters and Child Affairs on the Address by His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zambia, as delivered on 17^th of March, 2017.

 

Madam Speaker, I commend the efforts by your Committee in trying to harmonise its observations and those of the stakeholders who appeared before it as witnesses to the issues raised by His Excellency, the President, in his address.

 

Madam Speaker, for far too long, we, as a people, have preoccupied ourselves with politics and the economy. Coming from provincial administration, which is charged with the responsibility of coordinating and implementing Government programmes, among many other duties, I found the President’s Address very timely. Often, we come across most of the issues contained in both the President’s Address and the report of your Committee. His Excellency, the President, raised a number of fundamental issues concerning our nationhood, which we have, for a long time, taken for granted, as a people. 

 

Madam Speaker, the significance of symbols that represent our sovereignty and national identity such as the national anthem, coat of arms and our national flag must be revered by all citizens. At this point, let me commend the Government for the decision made, that the national anthem must be sung in full at all public forums. We have had situations where because we are accustomed to singing only one stanza and the chorus, certain people began singing “visitors in the struggle” instead of “victors in the struggle.” This shows how we have not internalised these symbols.

 

Madam Speaker, on page 4, the report of your Committee stated that the stakeholders were of the view that the President’s Address could have gone further to identify the root causes of poor moral and ethical standards in the country. The President’s Address was not, by any means, meant to be exhaustive in terms of matters pertaining to the application of national values and principles, though it was comprehensive. The President’s Address was meant to provoke us to reflect on these very important issues that define us as a people. The President did not come to give an exhaustive prescription of what ought to be or have been done. Ours is to embrace this challenge by reflecting these values and principles in our daily lives.

 

Madam Speaker, patriotism, in all its various forms, places a moral obligation on each one of us, individually and collectively, to support the causes for this country, even for basic things like preference for Zambian products. It is not true that everything made in Zambia is of inferior quality. How will the economy of this country grow if we do not support our own products? We cannot continue to be a market and consumer of products and services made in other countries.

 

Madam Speaker, a lack of patriotism has great potential to undermine our collective effort to develop our country. Our attitude towards public property is just as important as our attitude towards work. Although your report acknowledged the introduction of performance contracts for Public Service workers, this will not be enough in itself. Our workers should not do work merely to meet the performance assessment as if they are students whose preoccupation is simply to pass an exam or acquire a degree or certificate without learning at all. We must internalise these values and principles so that we do our work with passion, regardless of whether there shall be an assessment or not.

 

Madam Speaker, as I support the report of your Committee, I urge all Zambians to embrace these values and principles, and make them our way of life without exception. Further, the responsibility of imparting these values and principles in our country ought not to be the Government’s responsibility alone. All stakeholders must actively participate. The Church, civil society organisations and families, to mention but a few, must participate.

 

Madam Speaker, with these very few remarks, I support the report.

 

I thank you, Madam.

 

The Minister for Southern Province (Dr Hamukale): Madam Speaker, thank you for giving me an opportunity to add my voice on the President’s Address to this House on 17^th March, 2017.

 

Madam Speaker, I would like to centre my support and submission on pages 5 and 12 of the President’s Speech, where he dwelt more on morals and ethics and patriotism. First of all, Zambia is fortunate to have a well balanced and effective pair at the helm of presidency in the name of His Excellency, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, duly elected President of the Republic of Zambia ...

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Hamukale: And Her Honour the Vice-President, Mrs Inonge Mutukwa Wina. Clearly, there is gender balance at the helm of leadership in Zambia, giving hope to young girls and adolescents because we have role models. Apart from Her Honour the Vice-President, we have role models for girls in Zambia in the names of Hon. Jean Kapata, Hon. Mwanakatwe,  Nkandu Luo and many others who are capable ladies. They have displayed that they can equally perform, and even perhaps outperform men.

 

Madam Speaker, the President highlighted a number of emblems that we Zambians have taken for granted. He made reference to the national anthem, the coat of arms and our national flag. I have noticed with disappointment that when the national anthem is being sung, people go about their activities. I see young people walking around. In the past, we used to stand at attention. Once the national anthem was being sung, as long as it was within audible range, you were expected to stop and stand at attention until it was fully sung.

 

 I do recall in Chipata, when I was in the United National Independence Party (UNIP) Youth League, and the provincial minister by then was Hon. Hosea Soko, May His Soul Rest In Peace (MHSRIP) in the presence of the likes of Chikakula Banda, Mr Mbuzi, the Chiozas, the Levison Mumbas, who were our inspirations, one of our colleagues was seen walking around when we were singing the National Anthem. Without any instructions, the police descended on him, and took him to the police station for questioning. This is how serious the National Anthem was respected in the past. So, my big question is why have we lost it? Where did we go wrong that this emblem is taken for granted?

 

My hope is that our young people should begin a reform journey to begin to respect the National Anthem. Our Court of Arms, as hon. Members perfectly know, is symbol of working together between the male folk and the females in order to advance the development agenda of this country.

 

Similarly, our National Flag is also not given due respect. In Southern Province, we have made sure that all national flags that are torn or are not looking clean and presentable should be replaced.

 

Mr Malama: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Hamukale: If not, the officer responsible for such will be disciplined.

 

Mr Malama: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Hamukale: We have got to give that pride and regard to the National Flag.

 

In the past, we were also not allowed to walk carelessly near the national flag, especially near offices. We were not allowed. However, now, people can do all manner of things beneath the National Flag. Our song says, “Under the flag of our land”. Even if it says so, it does not mean that you can play ichiyenga under the flag …

 

Laughter

 

Dr Hamukale: …or some games near the flag.

 

Laughter

 

Madam Speaker: What is the meaning of ichiyenga, hon. Minister?

 

Dr Hamukale: Madam Speaker, ichiyenga is a rural game that is played to kill boredom, and is full of mathematics, permutations and combinations.

 

Laughter

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

Laughter

 

Dr Hamukale: Madam Speaker, I wish to thank the people of Southern Province for exhibiting peace and unity amidst all manner of provocation. The people of Southern Province have shown maturity during and after the elections. The President emphasised peace, and the people, in this province, have adhered to that advice.

 

We have seen cases of arson in Southern Province. In Mazabuka, we lost a whole block for the department of agriculture, in Monze, the District Commissioner’s office was burnt, in Choma, a market was burnt and in Livingstone, Maramba Cultural Village was also burnt. Even amidst all these behaviours by just a handful of people, the people of Southern Province have remained resolute, to remain as a united people, and go about their normal duties. This is what the President told us and the people have listened. The people have listened to what their leader has said. They are not misdirected anyhow.

 

Madam Speaker, you may wish to recall that the people always speak in unison. When there is a revolution or rejection of a regime, the people of Zambia would display clear signals. In 1991, when we changed from the leadership of United National Independence Party (UNIP) to Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD), it was clear all the people were together, and had resolved to move the other way.

 

In 2001, when the late President, President Chiluba, MHSRIP, attempted to go for a third term, people refused. So, when the people are together, and have resolved to move in a certain direction, signals are there and you cannot doubt it. At the moment, the big signal is that people have resolved to rally behind President Edgar Chagwa Lungu the duly elected President of the Republic of Zambia …

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Hamukale: So, Zambia cannot be deviated by a few individuals who want to achieve their personal agenda, whether they got nkongole or debts somewhere …

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Hamukale: … that is not important, but the people are resolved to continue with the peace that has prevailed in the country.

 

Mr Malama: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Hamukale: Madam Speaker, I now turn to the matter of patriotism where we have lost quite a great deal of our natural resources through our own citizens, conniving with foreigners or maybe on our own, also facilitating abuse and misuse of natural resources.

 

I would like to take the submission of Hon. Jean Kapata yesterday, when she emphasised that we need to look after our natural resources so that the future generations can benefit. She is also in charge of trees, I think, she hit the nail perpendicular into her hood.

 

Laughter

 

Dr Hamukale: You did a good job, hon. Minister, and I can only appreciate what you said.

 

Madam Speaker, I will give an example of the Lochinvar National Park where we have lost significant volumes, quantities and counts of wildlife. In the 1950s, that national park had a population of 250,000 Lechwe, we now have only 28,000. From 250,000 we now have 28,000. These are not impressive statistics. We had over 80,000 buffaloes but we only have 500. We had over 105,000 wildbeasts, but we only have one roaming the Kafue Flats and Lochinvar National Park, just one from 105,000.

 

However, I wish to thank Hon. C. R. Banda, Minister of Tourism and Arts, for the support that he gave to our administration during our fight against the reduction of wildlife in that national park. These activities, Madam Speaker, are perpetrated, sometimes, by traditional leaders or our own people, but it is disheartening to see this kind of trend because the Government of the President Edgar Chagwa Lungu applies a thrust on tourism as an alternative vehicle of development, as opposed to dependence on copper.

 

Madam Speaker, the other disappointing development in a few areas in Zambia and also in Southern Province, is the habit of bestiality or having sexual intercourse with animals.

 

Hon. Members: Ehe! Hear, hear!

 

Dr Hamukale: Do you think this is Zambia? No it is not.

 

Mr Malama: Tell them!

 

Dr Hamukale: This is largely because there has been so much a huge gender divide in the roles that are given to boys and girls so they do not grow up together carrying similar values. The girls grow into more responsible adults by the age of fifteen are very responsible while the boys are still playing chimpombwa. Chimpombwa is a homemade ball which we played on the streets. Because of this, most of the boys do not even know how to propose girls.

 

Laughter

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

Dr Hamukale: This is because they never grew up with them. All they think of are goats, cattle, dogs …

 

Laughter

 

Dr Hamukale: … honestly, there are many beautiful ladies out there who are willing to be married; you cannot specialise in goats.

 

Laughter

 

Dr Hamukale: There are many options but this is unwarranted behaviour which deviates from the expectations of our morals.

 

Mr Malama: Hear, hear! Ema summary aya!

 

Dr Hamukale: Madam Speaker, I also wish to add my voice to talk about the behaviour of some of the corporate firms that are involved in cattle business in Southern Province. It is morally wrong for a huge conglomerate to move in a farming area where farmers are producing livestock, and dictate the prices and terms to the farmers. They move away with the whole animal, get somewhere, and then, they are able to benefit from leather products, make glue from hooves, they carry the whole value chain, and offer an inferior price to the farmers. This is also not helping our communities.

 

Madam Speaker, it is our hope that we will, one day, invest in tanning factories in some of these areas where we can produce shoes, and all manner of leather products so that our farmers can get the full value of their sweat.

 

Madam Speaker, the last but not the least, I would like to urge all public workers in the Republic of Zambia to justify their salaries. I undertook a trip to the Southern Province in February, and I only interacted with one hon. Member of Parliament. This was a development, trip, and not a political trip, by the way. Now is the time when we should draw the line between political and development matters. All hon. Members of Parliament, councillors and mayors should be answerable to the people that elected them. Coming to Parliament or going to Council Chambers should not be seen as a five year honeymoon, but a period to serve the people.

 

Madam Speaker, all in all, the speech by His Excellency the President was unifying, and gave us a challenge to transform our society. It calls on us to become responsible and patriotic citizens who will add value to the economy, and begin to notice that, we have a role in the economy that cannot be passed on to anyone else. Each person has a role to play as he or she works towards economic recovery.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

The Minister of Energy (Mr Mabumba): Madam Speaker, thank you for giving me this opportunity to contribute to the Committee on Legal Affairs, Governance, Human Rights, Gender Matters and Child Affairs on the address by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia on 17^th March, 2017.

 

Madam Speaker, my contribution to the debate will be focused mainly on the application of national values and principles in relation to what we do in the Ministry of Energy. As you are aware, the Ministry of Energy is fundamental in creating the competitiveness that this country requires. Most of the decisions that are supposed to be made in the Ministry of Energy are supposed to be premised on our national principles and values. I believe that countries that have made headway in national development have got national values and principles that culminate into a national culture.

 

Madam Speaker, Zambia’s national culture has been eroded over the years. As a result of that, we have suffered a number of setbacks in terms of promoting our national values and principles which should have been at our pillar, in terms of the development of the country. 

 

Madam Speaker, I will now focus on the extent to which these national values and principles are being applied in the Ministry of Energy. For example, the petroleum subsector is critical to delivering industrialisation and job growth in the Republic of Zambia. We have made a number of major decisions that have promoted patriotism. For example, we only used to have storage facilities in Lusaka and the Copperbelt at Indeni, but over the years, as part of ensuring that we have an efficient and effective delivery system of petroleum products, the Government began the construction of provincial storage facilities. So far, this has been done in Mongu, Mpika and Solwezi. I assure my colleagues that all provincial centres will receive these storage facilities, as part of promoting patriotism and national unity. This is because all provinces should feel like they are part of this country.

 

Madam Speaker, in order to avoid a system where fuel prices are cheaper in the urban areas, we decided to come up with a uniform pump price that ensured that Zambians buy fuel at the same regulated price wherever they are. This was done in a bid to promote national unity in the Republic of Zambia.

 

Madam Speaker, we have also listened to the concerns that the petrol value chain sector has a number of middle men which makes the pump price of fuel in Zambia high. Some of these concerns, which have been raised, are already being dealt with. This has begun by allowing oil marketing companies that are owned by Zambians or registered in Zambia, as well as fuel transporters who are Zambian, to fully participate in the distribution and procurement of petroleum products. We will soon go to Cabinet to seek approval so that we can empower Zambians even with some minimal percentage in the petroleum value chain to create jobs and wealth. Giving foreigners these multi-billion dollar contracts means that Zambia is sending wealth outside the country. We will ensure that Zambians participate in the process before the end of the year.

 

Madam Speaker, we will also ensure that the people we contract to provide us with fuel products do not take advantage of the fact that we are landlocked. We will ensure that the people that are given contracts have the best interests of the Zambian people. We can only create a competitive economy if our fuel price is delivered at the right levels.

 

Madam Speaker, I have listened attentively to hon. Members in this House who have advised that we should avoid creating a two or three tier system in Zambia. Many districts have been, but they do not have power. What is the use of making districts if they do not have power? We create new districts to grow the economy of those areas as they have been stagnant for years. We need to provide electricity to those rural areas in order to regenerate them.

 

Madam Speaker, I have also listened to hon. Members of Parliament complain about the fact that their schools and clinics do not have power. I am sure people who live in Shangombo are not impressed when they go to Mongu and find power. This does not help in the promotion of national unity. As much as we cannot provide services to everybody, we should move progressively and gradually to ensure that people are given the dignity they deserve.

 

Madam Speaker, we still have cases where women give birth under candle light because there is no electricity. Like I keep saying, we should rethink our rural electrification strategy because if we do not, then we will fail to promote national unity, and provide social justice and non-discrimination to the people of Zambia. We will continue to interact on how best we can deliver these services to the people in the rural areas. This is part of promoting national values and principles as provided for in the Constitution.

 

Madam Speaker, a good example is the national transmission line that we are doing in the North-Western Province. This province was not on the national grid for a long time, and depended on power that was generated using diesel. However, I am proud to announce that our North-Western transmission line has been completed, and Chavuma was the last district to be electrified. The only place left to be electrified is Lukulu, and the project will be commissioned by the President in August, this year.

 

Madam Speaker, we are doing all these things to demonstrate the Ministry of Energy’s resolve to promote national unity. The people of Western Province should know that they are part of Zambia. In fact, the commissioning will be done in Kabompo where  Hon. Lufuma comes from.

 

 Madam Speaker, going forward, as part of creating national unity and patriotism, we note that Zambia cannot live as an island. In 2015, Zambia experienced a power deficit. Had it not been for the good relations that Zambia had with Mozambique, its economy would have been negatively affected. So, Zambia will continue promoting these international collaborations to ensure that it trades its surplus power with countries in East Africa. As part of that process, we are constructing the Zambia/Tanzania/Kenya Interconnector which will allow the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) to trade power with countries in the East African Power Pool (EAPP).

 

Madam Speaker, as part of promoting national unity, Zambia is also extending the national unity across the border. Zambia will in the next few years, start constructing the 2,400 MW Batoka Gorge. This is going to be a flagship project in terms of expanding our power generation. As part of promoting these international collaborations, we have plans to ensure that Zambia remains buoyant in terms of its electricity generation. We intend to begin constructing a hydro-project on the Luapula River, which is going to be done in collaboration with our colleagues in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). We also have the Zambia/Zimbabwe/Botswana/Namibia Interconnector Project. Even as we talk about national values in this country, these national values should be in collaboration with our other countries.

 

Madam Speaker, I also wish to talk about good governance and integrity. The Ministry of Energy, like I said earlier, presides over the procurement of petroleum products. One of the first questions that I answered in this House just when I was appointed as minister was to do with corruption. I believe that good governance and integrity are important for the Ministry of Energy. Even as we procure these petroleum products, the issue of transparency and accountability are very critical because without that, the Zambian people are not going to believe in us. When they find that prices of fuel and electricity in other countries are lower than ours, they will start questioning our leadership ethics. It is against that background that we are trying to transform our regulatory processes in the Ministry of Energy. This is just to make sure that the decisions that are made in the Ministry of Energy are not based on emotions, but on a plan that is implented in the context of the various polices that the Ministry of Energy has.

 

Madam Speaker, in my conclusion, I just want to urge our Zambian people that unity is very important as we take Zambia to the next level. Zambia will only be developed by Zambians. Other countries are developed because the citizens of those countries have taken charge of developing their countries. Over the years, like I said, we have had a ‘talking’ culture. On a daily basis, we hear people talk on radios, but when it comes to production, there are low productivity levels. 

 

Madam Speaker, it is high time the people of Zambia became one. “One Zambia One Nation” is important because it is through that motto that we are going to deliver and change Zambia. It is through this motto that we are going to make life better for the people of Zambia.

 

Madam Speaker, with those few remarks, I just want to urge the Zambian people to continue supporting His Excellency the President, Mr Edger Lungu because he means well. Elections are over, and it is important that we all come together as one, and deliver a Zambia that will make a better living for all.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

The Minister of Religious Affairs and National Guidance (Rev. Sumaili): Madam Speaker, I am grateful to be given this opportunity to add my voice to the debate on the Report by the Committee on Legal Affairs, Governance, Human Rights, Gender Matters and Child Affairs on the Address of His Excellency of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu on the Progress made in the Application of National Values and Principles on 17^th March, 2017, which was delivered to the second meeting of the First Session of the Twelfth National Assembly.

 

Madam Speaker, the address of the President, as indicated in the Committee’s report was timely, and it touched on our identity as Zambians. It also touched on the spirit of the nation and core values that are necessary for sustainable development. They help us fulfill our aspirations, as the people, economically, socially and spiritually.

 

Madam Speaker, allow me to thank the Chairperson of the Committee, Hon. Bwalya and the members of the Committee for the report. It is clear that they put in a great deal of work. I also thank the hon. Members of this august House for the well thought-out contributions during the debate. I wish to assure the House that my ministry will further study the recommendations of the report and the various contributions that they made. We will incorporate them in our strategic plan under preparation, our policy framework, and implementation plan.

 

Madam Speaker, the address to the House by the President was not only a landmark, but a foundation as it outlined national values, principles and ethics, upon which our identity beliefs, practices and cultures are anchored.

 

Madam Speaker, the declaration of Zambia as a Christian nation is a bedrock on which these values and principles are founded. Culturally and historically, we are the Bantu people who should promote ubuntu. Ubuntu is the dignity and sacredness of the humanity, emanating from the truth that man is created in the image and likeness of God. God is love. Ubuntu means loving and respecting one another regardless of status, tribe, sex and age. As we love one another, we should show love for our nation so that we become patriotic. Ubuntu is practising our positive cultural practices and beliefs which are usually in agreement with our Christian principles. Ubuntu is being humane towards the vulnerable and the underprivileged. It also means taking care of the old, protecting and providing for our children who are the future, and teaching our children to honour their parents. Ubuntu starts with family unity. My ministry is focusing on the family as an entry point for these values.

 

Madam Speaker, the transformation agendum introduced by the President in his speech demands an awakening passion and positive revolution in order to push Zambia into its glorious destiny. A shaking transformation agendum is inevitable for the rebirth of our nation. This will enable the nation to meet the aspirations of the people, and attain the desired development and prosperity, as initiated in the just launched Seventh National Development Plan (SNDP) 2017 to 2021, heading towards Vision 2030.

 

Madam Speaker, the change we desire, and the one we are demanding for, begins with the change of mindset, and the change of our hearts. The change of our hearts is in the hands of God Almighty. The change of our minds requires information and knowledge. It is for this reason that the Ministry of Religious Affairs and National Guidance is embarking on an aggressive relevant and targeted nationwide information and education campaign, working with various stakeholders such as the media, schools, colleges, universities, churches and traditional authorities, grass root civil society organisations (CSOs) and many more. The issues pertaining to values and principles are crosscutting, and they touch on every fabric of our nation. They go beyond political party divisions and religions.

It is for this reason that the ministry has adopted a multi-sectoral, inclusive and integrated approach, leaving no one behind. As a ministry, we have instituted the mainstreaming of values and principles into institutional frameworks of Government ministries, sectors and domains.

 

Madam Speaker, since the delivery of the speech by the Republican President on 17^th March, 2017, my ministry has undertaken steps towards actualisation of the values, principles and ethics. We have undertaken provincial visits to take the message of the President and introduce the new ministry to Government officials, royal highnesses and church leaders. The response has been positive and encouraging. I take this opportunity to thank provincial hon. Ministers and their administrations for facilitating these provincial visits.

 

Madam Speaker, as a matter of priority, my ministry has begun to put together legal framework, and generate policy working with other Government ministries to help actualise the values. An inter-ministerial committee is working on various issues such as alcohol and drug abuse.

 

Madam Speaker, the Government, through the secretary to the Cabinet, has formed an inter-ministerial committee on the need for the promotion of patriotism. Accordingly, respective line ministries are expected to actively contribute not only to the promotion of patriotism, but also the implementation of the national values and principles in general. The respective ministries are expected to begin reporting progress on their implementation efforts on a quarterly basis to the committee. This exercise is being done with a view to ensuring that the capacity of key Government institutions in upholding morals, ethics and principles in the country is enhanced.

 

Madam Speaker, His Excellency the President, in his address on upholding morality and ethics, urged parents, teachers and religious leaders to take a leading role in inculcating high standards of morals and ethical values in our people, especially, the young. My ministry has already instituted discussions with civil society organisations to embark on nationwide civic education. This is expected to be done starting from our families, communities, schools and places of worship. This is in line with the recommendation by your Committee to embark on nationwide civic education.

 

Madam Speaker, allow me to indicate that my ministry is looking up to the church as a capable partner. Religious leaders such as the Bishop’s Council of Zambia have already submitted a proposal to my ministry on how they can be involved in the sensitisation of citizens to promote the national values and Christian social teachings as a way of life. My ministry has reviewed the proposal, and has arranged to engage further the bishops on the matter.

 

Madam Speaker, the meeting with civil society stakeholders also resolved that there is need to simplify the presentation of the national values and principles for the ordinary citizens to comprehend the importance of the national values and principles. The ministry, with civil society, has made preliminary plans to design and implement civic education programmes in local languages for all as recommended even in the report of your Committee.

 

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to inform this House that my ministry, on 23^rd May, 2017, held a meeting with a number of civil society organisations to strategise on how to sensitise every man, woman and child in the country on national values and principles.

 

Madam Speaker, His Excellency the President also emphasised that for national values and principles to be fully applied and appreciated, intense civic education should be undertaken nationwide at all levels.

 

Furthermore, on 30^th May, 2017, I had an opportunity to address the royal highnesses through the House of Chiefs on patriotism and national unity. My address to the House of Chiefs centred on the need for the royal highnesses to partner with the Government in bringing a sense of patriotism and national unity among the chiefdoms and their subjects.

 

The address was done, among the many programmes the Government is taking, to promote national unity. The address also already aligns with the recommendation by your Committee for the Government to actively involve traditional leaders on inculcating national values and principles.

 

Madam Speaker, I am glad to report that their royal highnesses are in support of the ministry’s initiative of promoting national values and principles. The royal highnesses also requested my ministry to assist in the setting up of chaplaincy in all chiefdoms to promote Christianity, and help to fight the numerous social vices being experienced such as witchcraft, child defilement and gender based violence (GBV). This initiative will also play a key role in promoting ethical morality. The royal highnesses further implored the ministry to carry out a study on cultural values and traditions with a view to identifying the positive ones, and preserving them for future generations.

 

My ministry also notes the importance as was recommended by your Committee of engaging the private sector so that it can embrace the aspiration of the leadership in respect of national values and principles whilst respecting human rights, and upholding the rule of law in the execution of their business activities.

 

Madam Speaker, my ministry has already engaged the Ministry of General Education, and preliminary discussions on the review of the current education curriculum has taken place. My ministry is hopeful that the Ministry of General Education is considering the inclusion in the current curriculum the aspirations of the Constitution on values, principles and national symbols. This is also seen as an effective way of building patriotism towards national symbols and emblems, as opposed to the unpatriotic tendencies that have been observed by your Committee.

 

Madam Speaker, my ministry has taken note of some private schools where prayers are forbidden in the pretext of having multiple religions. The fact is that we are a Christian nation. The ministry is engaging higher education institutions such as colleges and universities in order for them to offer courses in values, principles and ethics. This is in addition to the School of Government at National Institute of Public Administration.

 

Madam Speaker, His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, pointed out that the application of national values and principles called for national transformation. I am pleased to inform this august House that my ministry has developed a framework called National Values Based Transformation covering the period 2017 -2021. This is a five year plan that was recently developed with input from a number of stakeholders that included line ministries, civil society and faith-based organisations.

 

Madam Speaker, since transformation demands change of hearts by individuals by God only, my ministry is working with Lunch Hour Fellowship national leaders to plant prayer fellowships at places of work without interfering with working hours.

 

Madam Speaker, I would like to state that the Ministry of National Guidance and Religious Affairs is steadily finding its feet with the number of staff growing up to forty-nine. This has improved our institutional capacity to coordinate the implementation of national values and principles.

 

Madam Speaker, I wish to express my gratitude to your Committee on the recommendations, and thank the hon. Members for their contributions on the Motion. My ministry shall endeavour to implement the recommendations that touch on our mandate. In the spirit of inclusiveness, not leaving anyone behind, we are all responsible for ensuring that Zambia as a Christian nation actualises the values, principles and ethics.

 

Madam Speaker, as I close, let me stress that Zambia, as a blessed Christian nation, will not relent in her pursuit and endeavours for the actualisation of values, principles, ethics and Christian and cultural virtues which are a foundation for a sustainable peace, security and prosperity.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members, I am very reluctant to keep calling for order in the House because that disturbs the hon. Member debating. So, when I look in your direction, it means that your consultations are rather loud. Like I have been doing, by looking in the direction of the two hon. Members, on my far right. Lets us bear that in mind because if I continue to be calling for order, the person debating will be disturbed. So, if I look in your direction, please tone down and be a bit more orderly.

 

The Chief Whip and Acting Leader of Government Business in the House (Mr Musukwa): Madam Speaker, thank you for giving me more minutes to comment on the debate of the Motion which was ably moved by Hon. Chungu Bwalya, on the Report of the Committee on Legal Affairs, Governance, Human Rights, Gender Matters and Child Affairs on the Address by his Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, on the progress made on the application of national values and principles delivered to this House on 17^th March, 2017.

 

Madam Speaker, allow me, like many others who have debated on this Motion to register appreciation to the President for setting the platform on the application of national values and principles. The national values and principles; morality and ethics, patriotism and national unity, democracy and constitutionalism, good governance and integrity, and sustainable development.

 

Madam Speaker, I have been listening carefully to the debates, right from 13^th June, 2017 to date, and I appreciate the enthusiasm which hon. Members of Parliament including Cabinet Ministers who have debated on this subject matter. This shows the importance that the Government of his Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, attaches to the need to apply these national values and principles by every Zambian in order to move our country forward.

 

Madam Speaker, the House will agree with me that a nation where there is moral decay, a lack of patriotism and of national unity, can never move forward in terms of sustainable development.

 

Madam Speaker, in order to ensure that sufficient progress is made on the application of national values and principles, the hard working Patriotic Front (PF) Government led by his Excellency the President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, has through various institutions of the Government, started reflecting upon the observations and recommendations as they are being made.

 

Madam Speaker, I am alive to the fact that hon. Cabinet Ministers starting yesterday and today have attested to the fact that various ministries are actually domesticating these principles in order to ensure that they are part of the various ministries moving forward.

 

Madam Speaker, the introduction of national values and principles, in our early education curricula will, no doubt, address some of the lacunas which are currently in our Republican Constitution. Upholding the rule of law by state institutions as they execute their mandate; the preservation of human rights and dignity, to mention a few, are priority of the PF Government moving forward.

 

Madam Speaker, the role of Government in reviewing these values and principles is not only to see the public service live by these values and principles. It is also responsible for ensuring that every Zambian national, every person that has made Zambia their home, and every visitor to Zambia must abide by what Zambia stands for and through these principles which must define our culture.

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Musukwa: Madam Speaker, in the labour industry, for example, investors must incorporate what is relevant and acceptable to the job market in Zambia. As the saying goes, ‘when in Rome do as the Romans do. In the educational sector, teachers must see to it that our children fully understand where they are coming from, and what moral standing our country holds.

 

Madam Speaker, even in our families, every member has a duty to raise the standards of living through inculcating good values and principles of a Zambian family. Discipline, time keeping, hygiene, respect, are all very important values, that we cannot afford to ignore or to lose. Remember it is said “charity begins at home”. So, let us make homes of integrity and good standing.

 

Madam Speaker, I, therefore, wish to assure the nation that great progress is and will continue to be made on the application of national values and principles so that as we move forward in the near future, Zambia will be a better place for all, and a country to envy by everyone within and outside the country. Morality and ethics will be inculcated in our people so that we will not have situations like Chifunabuli Constituency where officers use mosquito nets for fishing instead of their intended purpose. Neither do we want to see pilferage of medicines by some health workers, when patients are in dire need of these medicines.

 

Madam Speaker, these values and principles have also emphasised the need to co-exist as Zambians, regardless of our political, tribe and religious affiliations. We cannot over emphasize the need for co-existence as it is the backbone of our survival. No nation has ever been able to succeed without standing firm together. A difference in opinions is healthy as it brings about dialogue which usually leads to understanding and resolutions.

 

Madam Speaker, without resolving, we cannot build ourselves. Without understanding we cannot work as a team. It is, therefore, imperative to see to it that our words and action build a spirit of unity of purpose. We are all Zambians in the land of Zambia, all equal in the eyes of God and all responsible for one another’s well being and prosperity. Therefore, as leaders in our various rights, we have a duty to preserve the very principles that make us “one Zambia one nation”.

 

Madam Speaker, in conclusion, let me thank all hon. Members who debated including those who debated silently from their seats…

 

Laughter

 

Mr Musukwa: … that the Government took seriously everything they raised on the Floor of the House and on our part as the Executive, we will tirelessly ensure that the contributions are put into tangible evidence for every Zambian to live by.

 

Madam Speaker, with these few words, I thank you.

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Bwalya (Lupososhi): Madam Speaker, thank you very much for giving me an opportunity to wind up the debate on this particular Motion. I wish to thank all the hon. Ministers who took time to debate this Motion. I further wish to thank all those hon. Members of Parliament who debated this Motion so well, and actually made it so rich. I also wish to thank those who, indeed, debated quietly, and supported this particular Motion.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

Question put and agreed to.

 

Madam Deputy Speaker: Order!

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

The Chief Whip and Acting Leader of Government Business (Mr Musukwa): Madam Speaker, I beg to move that the House do now adjourn.

 

Question put and agreed to.

 

_________

 

The House adjourned at 1233 hours until 1430 hours on Tuesday, 27^th June, 2017.